Darkman - Yabba Dabba Doo - (1994)

Wildcard Records, CARDD6 855781-2

Here's an oldie but goodie!

Wildcard were another label on a roll in the early nineties. They'd signed China Black after their massive indie success on the Reggae charts with the still brilliant Searching, and helped propel it into the pop charts. They had Nu Colours, another up and coming urban act, and then they signed Darkman, who would go on to score the biggest UK Hiphop chart position to date with the infectious Yabba Dabba Doo.

I remember this track absolutely dominating airplay in the UK in the summer of '94. It was massive both on radio and in the clubs. it would blow up again the following year as well, when it was remixed and rereleased (I'll post the re-release at a later date for sake of completion). However, the finest version of it for me was always the Party Like That Mix, available on both releases.

The Ghetto Lab mix is interesting for the more gangsta take on the lyrics, the 7" Mix is thoroughly decent, as is the bonus track What's not Yours, but, as stated above, it's the anthemic Party Like That Mix all the way for this girl.

Some trivia - Yabba Dabba Doo was produced by Darkman AND a guy called Micky P (I'm pretty sure he was the Micky P who used to be on KISS FM back in the day, when it was actually good) - no relation to our bossman, I take it? Also, and I never realised this back in the day, but there was additional production by the Young Disciples' very own Femi Fem. Cool, huh?

- Kymba :)

• Yabba Dabba Doo (7" Mix)
• Yabba Dabba Doo (Party Like That Mix)
• What's Not Yours (Power Lab Censored Mix)
• Yabba Dabba Doo (Ghetto Lab Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Yabba Dabba Doo.zip File size: 22 MB

Intelligent Hoodlum - Back To Reality (CJ Mackintosh Mixes) - (1990)

A&M Records, AMCD 598

Not so sunny here in North London today, but I thought I'd post another BBQ classic regardless.

I'm not sure really how well you'll receive this one, as it's not soul as such, but a nice, chilled out slice of Hip-hop, reminiscing about simpler times.

Intelligent Hoodlum (born Percy Chapman, although he would later switch to the monicker "Tragedy Khadafi") is an extremely eloquent rapper from Queens, New York. His first, self-titled album was a politically charged affair featuring the excellent Arrest the President, and a whirl of other contentious tracks.

However, amongst the anger and social commentary on his debut there lurked a rather good party jam, the Soul II Soul sampling Back To Reality - no surprises for guessing what sample was used there, huh? ;)

On its release in the UK, Back To Reality was given a suite of remixes by one CJ Mackintosh. The pick of which for me is CJ's Drum And Bass Mix (nah, not THAT kind of Drum & Bass), which cranked up the Soul II Soul elements, added nice piano chords and strings stabs, and made a great summer vibe kinda tune out of it. The Ragamuffin Version is also pretty dope (love the strings), but for me, it's all about the Drum And Bass Mix.

Hope you dig this as much as I do. If you don't know it, give it a try and tell us whatcha think.

- Kymba :)

• Back To Reality (Drum And Bass Mix)
• Back To Reality (Back To Basics)
• Back To Reality (Ragamuffin Version)
• Back To Reality (Ragadub)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Back To Reality (Maxi-Single).zip File size: 28 MB

Buckshot LeFonque - Another Day 1997

Columbia Records 665376 2


Named after the jazz sax player Cannonball Adderley, Buckshot LeFonque was a Branford Marsalis project. He wanted to create a new sound using hip-hop influences with more generic musical styles. This release comes from their second album Music Evolution 1997, produced by Marsalis and featuring 'the vocal stylings of Frank McComb (who also plays keyboards) along with Marsalis on sax, Will Lee on Bass, Rocky Bryant on Drums. Carol Webb Sontomme is concert master in charge of a full 6 piece string section.

Another Day In The Hood is a virtual re-recording of the main release, Another Day, featuring a further two minutes of rap. The other track on this release is Musical Evolution remixed by DJ Premier (Gang Starr) who had a large production role in the previous debut album, Buckshot LeFonque 1994. They were never commercially successful but then that was never Marsalis objective.

"We took some interesting left turns... which is what I expected."

• Another Day (Album Version)
• Another Day (Remix)
• Another Day (Another Day In The Hood Mix)
• Music Evolution (D.J. Premier Mix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Buckshot LeFonque.rar Filesize: 23.94 MB

Master Wel - Henny-Penny-I-tis 1995

4th & Broadway 12 BRW 323

I bought this on the strength of the Dodge Remixes, Dodge City Productions rule. I also love Carla Cook's vocals. All in all, a nice bit of contemporary Acid Jazz. Now for the boring stuff.

Master Wel is an alias for the late Weldon Irvine (27/10/43 - 9/4/02) Known in Jazz and poetry circles simply as Weldon and within the world of Hip Hop as Master Wel, Irvine's skills as a musician and lyricist are well documented. With well over 500 compositions to his credit, he was the producer, arranger and conductor for many concerts, festival presentations, and staged musicals. He has worked with such Jazz notables as Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Stanley Turrentine, Bill Jacobs, with Aretha Franklin and Donny Hathaway, as well as with poets Louis Reyes Rivera, George Edward Tait, Rich Bartee and the Griot Trio, and with such Rappers and Spoken Word Artists as KRS-One, Grand Master Flash, Gang Starr, Big Daddy Kane, Ice Cube & Black Star, to name just a few.

As he became involved with Hip Hop, many of the rappers, including Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Q-Tip, sought him out as teacher and mentor. Irvine championed hip-hop from the beginning. He compares groundbreaking MC's such as Rakim to jazz titans like Charlie Parker.

"I've always been a big fan, just like any kid with gold teeth and pants hanging off his behind," he says. "The beats that these guys were producing blew my mind.... I've always accepted it as music."

Irvine was so inspired that he began rhyming himself. Using the name Master Wel, a reference to his aristocratic upbringing, he released 1997's Spoken Melodies (featuring Saul Williams and others) and 1999's The Price of Freedom featuring cameos by Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Q-Tip. Irvine honed his skills by hanging out with rappers half his age. He vividly remembered signing up for open mic nights and talent shows. Within earshot, people snickered, "Hey, grandpa's gonna rap." He persevered...

"I see the reaction of real hip-hop heads when they see me pick up the mic and start to rhyme. They're shocked that I'm doing it, but when they start bopping and responding to my call and response, that tells me I have the capabilities."

He gave piano lessons to Q-Tip and Common. "As these hip-hoppers get more proficient with jazz.... they are going to blow a lot of people's minds." he said. They'll be following in Irvine's footsteps.

"I often just sit and listen to him because he teaches truth. He's my mentor."

Q-Tip

"When I grow up, I want to be like Weldon."

Mos Def

• Soul Inside Mix
• Soul Walk Mix
• Single Version
• Soul Inside Instrumental
• Soul Walk Instrumental
• Jazz Mix

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Master Wel.rar Filesize: 58.81 MB




Almost impossible to read, it says:

Track 1 contains portions of 'We Getting Down' and 'Walk The Walk' by Weldon Irvine. Lead vocal: Carla Cook. Backing Vocal: Hilda Aja Richbow & Walter Mason. Sax Solo: Roger Byam. Drum track: Harold 'Doo' West & Weldon Irvine. All other instruments by Weldon Irvine. Recorded and mixed at: Lis Rascals Studio. Tracks 1 & 2 Additional Production and Remix by: Dodge for Soul Inside Productions. Additional Keys: Rico 'Sick Note' Ellis. Mix Engineer: Paul Motion. Track 1 Bass: John Thompson.

Malcolm McLaren - Double Dutch 1983

Chrysalis Records MALC 312

To be truly cynical for a moment, it's easy to suggest that McLaren preyed upon the stupid. After taking the dumb, young testosterone filled white teenage rock scene by storm with the Sex Pistols, he then proceeded to do the same with young black teenagers, taking the whole B-Boy/Hip Hop/Electro thing out of 'The Projects' and putting it onto the World stage.

('Of course we know who can really blow')

The true wonder lies in the fact that he was able to do it after being labeled as a 'con man' on the music scene. Of course, the fact of the matter is, he was bloody good at exploiting an opportunity. I was about to say talent but I don't think that description covers Sid Viscious? McLaren was a genius of sorts but love him or hate him, he did bring The World Class Supreme Team Show to our attention and for that alone, I'll allow him the room to exist in my little piece of the web.

The main release here is credited to Malcolm McLaren & The Ebonettes and is basically, Double Dutch is like a theme song for the skipping sport of the American Double Dutch League. That makes it sound like crap but I love it, it's not quite singing and not quite rapping either, set over a traditional African melody with a catchy chorus. Considering that this was the follow-up to the revolutionary Buffalo Gals, it must have taken some balls to put this out, or a good accountant.

"Schemin' on the meaning of a jazz thing."

The flipside is credited to Malcom McLaren & The World Class Supreme Team Show but McLaren don't figure on this except in the writing credits. She's Looking Like A Hobo seems to be either the track that was used in Buffalo Gals or an extension of the idea used in Buffalo Gals. Either way, if you like the music behind that track, you'll enjoy this. I like all of this release, it's fresh and interesting a quarter of a century down the line but the track that makes it essential to me is D'Ya Like Scratchin'? This track always makes me feel good with its hip hop scratch and rap skills set over a soulful melodic backbeat. Returning to my opening cynicism, this is probably an advert for their radio show but as with all McLaren's projects, it's done so well that you don't feel the pain.

Novacaine for the Soul?

• Double Dutch (New Dance Mix)
• She's Looking Like A Hobo
• D'Ya Like Scratchin'? (Special Remix)

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: Malcolm McLaren.rar Filesize: 33.26 MB

The Masterdon Committee - Funk Box Party 1982

Dee Jay Limited Edition BLUE-002

• Part 1
• Part 2

This is a Old School Hip Hop classic that I, once again, gotta give props to Marcus for. I didn't hear it until 1986/7 when Barry B put it out in one of his mixes layered with DSM's Destiny. The Mastermix Dance Party went out on the Thursday night and on Friday I would generally spend lunch down in the basement with Marcus and a cassette tape, playing name that tune on the car stereo. Good Times!

"Listen, listen, listen for the beatbox, Huh!"

The group came from the 147th street area of 70's Harlem, New York and comprised of MasterDon, Pebbly Poo, Gangster G, Keith KC, Boo Ski & Johnny D. It's a 'call and answer' style track that has been used many times since, a lively crowd in the studio alongside the crisp 808 beats and old school claps. It sounds like they were having a damn good party when they recorded it. Further in, the raps really kick in, Pebbly Poo's spot is one of the earliest examples of the aggressive female style developed by Roxanne Shante a few years later.

I was too late for the original pressing but managed to get a re-issue a few years later. Funk Box Party is an awesome tune and absolutely essential. Part 1 is the vocal and Part 2 is an Instrumental with vocal chorus.

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: The Masterdon Committee.rar Filesize: 23.26 MB

12:41 - Success Is The Word 1986

Streetwave Records XKHAN 507

12:41 consisted of Kris 'KRS-1' Parker & 'Scott La Rock' Sterling before they became Boogie Down Productions. Success Is The Word has a great sound and a superb hook, the rap is pretty good for the era although I personally, used to play the Instrumental and Dub a lot.



I almost posted just the B-Side of this release because Just-Ice simply doesn't do this post justice. I guess if you like the Old School rap with all the demeaning and immature foul mouthed bullshit that kept it back for so long, then you might appreciate it. Still, on a positive note, the reason I left it on is because Put That Record Back On is a Kurtis Mantronik production. Be warned, That Girl Is A Slut is not for mixed company?

• Success Version
• Radio Version
• Success Instrumental
• Success Dub

• Put That Record Back On
• Latoya
• Put That Record Back On (Instrumental)
• That Girl Is A Slut

The Download Link is here: Download
Filename: 12-41.rar Filesize: 60.57 MB